Europa League round of 16 draw recap: Man Utd and Arsenal learn their opponents

Going back to Arsenal, and there is one key concern when it comes to taking on Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16.

Manchester United's fixtures ahead of Real Betis clash

For United, the Real Betis fixture will add to what is already a packed schedule in the upcoming month, with the side now playing six games in March. Here are the matches Erik ten Hag's side face before the first leg on March 9:

• Manchester United vs Newcastle (February 26, Carabao Cup Final)
• Manchester United vs West Ham (March 1, FA Cup Round Five)
• Liverpool vs Manchester United (March 5, Premier League)

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Arsenal's fixtures ahead of Sporting clash

With the first leg of the round of 16 fixtures taking place on March 9, Arsenal have a number of games still to play before the clash.

They are as follows:

• Leicester vs Arsenal (February 25, Premier League)
• Arsenal vs Everton (March 1, Premier League)
• Arsenal vs Bournemouth (March 4, Premier League)

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Arsenal have never lost a game against Sporting Lisbon in their history, having won two and drawn two games against the Portuguese giants (via 11vs11).

The two sides faced each other in the second round of the Fairs Cup in 1969, drawing 0-0 in Portugal before the Gunners secured a 3-0 win at Highbury. Arsenal would go on to win the competition.

They then did battle in the Europa League group stage in the 2018/19 season, with Arsenal winning 1-0 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 at the Emirates.

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Fan footage captured after United's win shows exactly what the victory meant to Raphael Varane and his team-mates.

Manchester United fans will certainly be hoping to recreate celebrations like this when they take on Real Betis at Old Trafford in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

After a brief explanation of the draw process, and a recap of the 16 teams involved, it's now time to get started for the round of 16 draw. List of ties to follow.

Former West Brom and Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera is doing the draw. He also did the group stage draw earlier this season, and is an ambassador for this season's Europa League final in Budapest, Hungary.

UEFA Deputy General Secretary, Giorgio Marchetti, is now in the room, so we're not far away from the start now.

Here we go, then. Pedro Pinto is on hand at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland to preview the draw, and we'll be underway shortly.